Doc: I did not speak to MACC officers

SHAH ALAM: A senior government pathologist testified that he interviewed Teoh Beng Hock’s family but admitted that he did not speak to any Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission officers to help formulate his opinion.

Dr Khairul Azman Ibrahim told the inquest into the political aide’s death that he had interviewed the relatives to have a better understanding of what may have happened on the day he died.

He said he spoke to Teoh’s elder brother, younger sister and fiance to know when was the last time they saw him alive.

Replying to counsel Gobind Singh Deo, who is keeping a watching brief for Teoh’s family, Dr Khairul Azman said he had wanted to know Teoh’s state of mind and if he had suicidal tendencies.

“Did you ask the family if he had psychological problems, medical problems, drinking, alcohol and smoking problems?” asked Gobind. “Yes, he had none,” Dr Khairul Azman said.

He said Teoh’s brother told him that his brother was an open person who liked to discuss things.

When Dr Khairul Azman insinuated that Teoh might have been embarrassed for making a mistake, Gobind said: “Be careful. You don’t know from the background.

“There’s no reason for him to commit suicide. What about the other aspect of him being murdered? Isn’t it equally important to question the MACC officers as well?”

Dr Khairul Azman replied that it was the duty of the police to speak with the MACC officers.

When Gobind said he was not in a position to rule out the possibility of a homicide as he did not probe the MACC officers, Dr Khairul Azman said: “I do not have proof to support that a homicide had taken place.”